Rotary engine



Aug. 16, T K 1,872,361

ROTARY ENGINE Filed March 12, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Aug 15, 1932. .1. TACKMAN 1,372,351

ROTARY ENGINE Filed March 12, 1926 6 sheets sheet 2 INVENTOR Aug. 16, 1932. TAcKMAN 1,872,361

ROTARY ENGINE Filed March 12, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 //////////%AIIIIII.IR-llllllllll fig 8 TM INVENTOR 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR J. TACKMAN ROTARY ENGINE Aug. 16, 1932.

Filed March 12, 1926 iri Patented Aug. 16, 1932 JOHN TACKMAN, OF NEW 1031;; N. Y.

ROTARY ENGINE Application Yfiiea March 12, .1926 Serial n01 94,182.

This in vention relates to 'airimproyed type of rotary engine; The 'engine is so construct= eclthat it may be run as a multiple expanslon engine or as a direct acting engine; In accordance with the inventiontherotor 'of'the engine has a'pluralityofrotormembers all mounted ona common-shaft,andthese rotor 7 members are adaptedtooperate in individual expansion chambers. The yarious novel'features of the invention will appear from the detailed description taken in-conne'ction with the accomp anyingdrawings and will: be particularly pointed out in itheclaims.

F l is a cross sectional vieww taken throu h. the en 'ine-c linders onthediameter ther vi and showing the rotary pistons-as cons ingoftwo annularniembers" and a central segmental" member','-the abutment members which cooperate "With the piston members and cylinder Walls being; also shown,-the'viewas a whole being takenon line l l of '2." l I Fig 2 is a sectional View taken on'line 22 of Fig; l and showingtlieabiitments 01F ig. 1 in-planand the-operatingmeans therefor. H

vFig. 3 is an elevational and sectional View looliin into the engine"cylin-der,ithe View b ikcn on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, p

Fi -l a plan View of the engine cylinviewedfrom the right of Fig.3. F 5 is a detailview in pl'anof one of the aha 'nents shown'in Figs. -1 and'2.

6 is an eleyatibnlooki'ng' at. the rotor along the axis, the abutment positions being shown in dotted lines, the construction being such that at the moment one'abutment is closed the other is ready to open; 7 I

F 7 is a three part View showing the two disidilze members between which andthe removable cylinder headthe hub fiangeof the rotary piston "operates,-both of said members being. provided with a diametral-groove in which one sideof each abutment'is adapted S is afragmentary detail yiew' of cerliai alre mechanismitaken on the' line 88 ofFigzfZ. v y r 9 is a verticalsectional-yiew takenon line9+-9 of Fig. 2 ofthe valve mechanism ofthei engine. p

B 1g. 10"1s'a'vert1calsectional-view taken on Fig. 11 is a transverse se'ctibheilvi'eWfthht T portionabove the slide Valves 51 and 52 in chiding said slide valves, beingtaken online 11 M of F 10; that portion incliidingth ports'1g'-lg" and 2m2m*andthat'porti'on below" said ports'being taken"on thelii1e lla+l1az Fig. 12 is a detail on'an' enlarged'scale of one'of the three-way inlet Valves for direct expansion only and'for controllingithe clockwise or counter-clockwise movement off'the rotor."

Fig. 13 illustrates the" end ofthetengine ilponwhich the controlling mechanism isflosated;

Fig. let is a disassembled View of bertai'n parts which t 'into' the adjacent-cylinder The rotor and its cylinders will' fi'r'st be described. The engine as shown comprises threexconc'entri'c cylinders, namely,"an' outer cylinder 1, a central'cylinder 2,anda cylinder '3 therebetween; Theannularchamber formed between the outer 'cylinderl and-next adjacent cylinder-3 may conveniently be re:-' ferred' to as chamber O; and the annular chamber between the central cylinder Qand thesurrounding cylinder 3 as chambenQ. Cylinders 2 and 3' may"convenient ly"he formed as a unit" and the outer cylinder 1 may be secured thereto in'any suitable manner. '85 See Fig.4.

Therotor comprises 'a shaft'4; a segmental rotor element 5 fixed to the shaftandadapted to turnwithin'the central chamber Qj anan 7' nular 'member'o disposed withinthe annu 90 lar chamber P, and an annl lar member? disposed Withinits chamber'oj The rotor'shaft has alsofixed thereto a hub fiange 8 (see Figs.

2 and 14:) which extends withiirthe'out'er cylinder'l fora shortdistance'. The annu- '95 lar 'mernbers'fiand 7 aresecured to said flange in'sa'ny silitablemanner as by bevelled screws 9.

Abutting'the open end of the inner cylinder 2 isfacircular plate or disk lOjof somee what greater diameter than the external dihub flange 8.

ameter of said cylinder and abutting the open end of cylinder 3 is a circular plate or disk 11 of somewhat greater diameter than its cylinder. Referring to Figs. 2 and 7 it will be 5 noted that an annular space is formed between the two plates or disks and between the outer cylinder 1 and the larger plate, and that the annular members 6 and 7 extend therethrough into abutting relation with the The construction is such that the rotor may rotate freely in the cylinders. The entrance to the cylinders is closed by a cylinder head 12 suitably secured to the rim of the outer cylinder l. The plate or disk 10 has a steam tight fit with the annular parts 511 and 6a of the rotor members 5 and 6. The plate or disk 10 is suitably secured to the cylinder 2. In the embodiment of my invention shown I. preferably employ properly constructed'bolts the screw-threadedends of which pass through the perforations 10a and and engage correspondingly shaped screw-threaded sockets 10b in the cylinder 2. 'The plate or disk 11 has also a steam tight fit with the annular parts 60. and 7 a of the rotor members 6 and 7. The plate 11 is' suitably secured to the cylinder 3 and for this purpose I preferably employ properly constructed bolts the screw-threaded ends of which pass through the perforations 11a and engage correspondingly shaped screw-threaded sockets 11b.

V The inside faces of the circular plates 10 and 11 are provided with aligned diametral slots or grooves 13. A continuation of this groove is formed in the cylinder 1 as indicated at 14. The opposite cylinder head 15 is provided with a similar diametral groove 16 parallel to the aforesaid grooves. These two diametral parallel grooves form guide ways for a pair of abutments L 17 and R17 both exactly alike. Each abutment has reentrant portions or slots 18 (see Fig. 5) of A a width to receive the annular rotor members 6 and 7, one in each slot. The cylinders 1, 2 and 3 are split on their diameters forming a continuation of the groove 16 to provide a passage for the abutments, and suitable packing 19 is provided in their opposed edges to form steam tight joints with the abutments (Fig. 1).

To facilitate an understanding of the engine some reference characters will be preceded by the letters L and R to designate left or right as the case may be. When a reference numeral having L or R before it is referred to by numeral only both right and left parts are intended to be included in the description.

The rotor members 6 and 7 are each formed on two different diameters. The diameter of substantially one-half of an individual member is such that its exterior surface will make a close fit with the surrounding cylinder and make a close fit with the inner cylinder. For convenience of reference the section of largest diameter of member 7 will be designated S and the smaller section thereof S. Similarly the corresponding sections of member 6 will be designated T and T respectively. Each of said sections is preferably provided with one or more packing strips 20. The inner segmental rotor member is also provided with one or more packing strips 20. It may be stated. at this point that at the moment one abutment has been moved inwardly, in the operation of the engine, to its closed position the other is ready to begin to move outwardly to open the same.

The thickness of each section of the annular rotor members 6 and 7 is such that each of the chambers O and P between the three cylinders is divided by said sections into two distinct inside and outside chambers. For convenience of reference the chamber on the inner side of the larger section S of annular member 7 will be designated S and the chamher on the outer side of section S thereof as S The chamber on the inner side of the larger section T of annular member 6 will be designated T and that on the outer side of section T thereof as T As previously pointed out, the abutments have slots 18 (see Fig. 5) within which the annular rotor members 6 and 7 are movably received. Inasmuch as each annular member is composed of two sections of different diameters, the two abutments must be shifted from one section to the other of the annular member as the rotor turns about its axis. The

purpose of this shifting will be presently explained.

The abutments may be shifted by any suitable means properly synchronized with the rotor shaft. In the present showing the abutments have been shown as shiftable by fluid pressure but it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited to the abutment shifting means shown and described herein as it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that different arrangements may be employed for the purpose indicated without departing from the spirit of the invention. In accordance with the present showing, the abutments are connected to individual pistons 25 (L and R) which have their individual iston rods 26 secured tc their respective a utments as by lateral 8X tensions 27 at the outer extremities thereof These pistons are subject to steam pressure on one side only, (the piston-rod side in accordance with the present showing) and when so subjected cause their respective abutments to move inwardly i. e. toward the axis of the rotor. When in the sequence of operation the abutments mustmove outwardly. they are so moved by the steam pressure with in the annular chambers, and the central 55 the other half is of such diameter that it willchamber, the pressure-being effective on the inwardly-facing edges of the shuttles, the flmv of steam to fthepistons being cutoffat suchgtimesand exhausted. As 1 the piston them in return directionslightly, therebyper- 'mitting' the steam pressure within therespective cylinders to' get behind the abutments 17 andcomplete their return movement. The

pistons operate in individual cylinders 28 and steanrflows into the cylinder by individual .ports- 29 controlled'byindividual valves 30 (L and R)--within steam chests 31.. Steam is exhausted from-said cylinders through individual ports. 32controlled by individual Valves .33. In the-present showing the ports 32 are-each shown-as interrupted by and communicate with chambers within which the in ing' to separate :the valvesfrom the steam pressure in the steam chest 31;

Referring to Fig i-l3, steamis supplied to thesteam chest 31 through individual passages 34 bypipes 35 which are connected to a common steam supply main 36. The-steam exhausted through ports 32 passes to an exhaust pipe 37 through suitable ports, pipes (land C,- and va l'ves61 and 63, said valves being closed to prevent the exhaust of steam through-C, 0 when the engine is operating in multiple expansion. See Figs. 8 and 13.

In order-to prevent the abutment pistons from cushioning intheir cylinders (the piston-head side) a suitable vent .(not shown) is-provided The vent v may, if desired, be made through the piston rods 26 of'said Ypistons, j.

-rocl-38 which is reciprocated in synchronism' The two-sets of valvesi30 and 33 are operated in exactly the same'manner- The description of the mode of operation will,-

therefore be, confined to one set of valves,

the same reference characters referring to similar parts in both sets.

The two valves 30 -and 33are mounted on a common valve with the rotor shaft, in anysuitable manner, as for exampleby a link rod'and lever mechanism operated by a camon the shaft. The cam is shown'asa disk 39 having a cam slot40 within which extends a follower which projects laterally from a cross head to c a lever 44 which is connected bya pin and slot connection to the valve rod 38. The

cain slot 40 is of such form that when one of the abutment pistons 25 has received steam for a full stroke the other beginsto open to eiihaust, it being understood, of course, that the cam slot,40 is sorconstructed and so related to other associated mechanism as'to enable the abut-ments-toanove at the proper time.

abutment also controls ports 45 and- 46. (a

.and 7)) ,see Fig. 9; the'ports'being opened. to

steam when the piston.has been..moved by the steam pressure entering by way' of :port

.29 (see Fig.2), The purpose of said ports 45 and 46' will hereinafter be:more* fully .exi plained. I V

.=The engine is adapted to rotate clockwise .and counter-clockwise and is adapted to utiandfrom chamber P tochamber' O. :The manual engine-controlling member is shown asa lever 46 (Fig. 13) whichmay beplaced in five different positions, namely; in a neutral position when it isdesired to stopthe engine; in two positions to the right of the neutral position when it is desired to operi ate the engineas a multiple-eXpansion-en- CllVl dual valves operate, the chambers servgine, or as a direct acting engine, respectively; and in two corresponding posl-tionsonthe left of the-neutral POSltlOIL Whenlt isde'sired to have the rotor rotate in the oppositedirec- A sector 47 is shown associated-with -when the controlling lever 46 is setto engage notches 49 and '50 located on-the-left' hand side of the sector 47and to operate in a counterclockwise direction when the controlling lever 46 is set to engage the notches 49 and 50 located on the right hand side of the sector 47. It will be understood that the 51 and 52 while the two lower bars are designated 51and 52 Levers 53 connect'thefree ends of the bars, the levers being joined by a link 54:which is connected to the controlling lever 46 by a pin and slot connection. The

functionof these valve bars will presently appear. It may be'here noted th'atwhen the engine is operated in multiple expansion the steam is admitted to the engine" through the ports in the valve'bars" 52 and '52 thefiow of steam through'the ports of the valve bars 51 i and 51' being cut oil. Whenthe engine is operating as adirect acting engine steam is admitted to the rotor throu'ghthe ports in the valve bars 51 and 51 the fiow of steam through the valve bars 52 and 52' being cut off. It may also be noted atthis point that the position of the various parts-,as illustrated in Figs. 9, 10-and13, is such that the engine operates counterclockwise; and that it is set to use multipleexpansion of the steam in each of therotor chambers.

Opening into the rotor chambers O, P and Q are a plurality of groups ofports (Fig. 1).

Associated with the left hand abutment L 17 are the 1 m, and 1 groups of ports and associated with the right, hand abutment R 17 are the Qmand 2g groups of ports (see also Fig.

.10). Assuming, that the rotor is rotating counter-clockwlse as viewed from Fig. 1 and that the engine 1s set to use the full steam pressure in each of the rotor chambers (S I and S etc.) the flow of steam will be as follows: Live steam will enter by way of ports 2m*, 2711?, and 2 m above the right abutment R 17 "and will also enter ports 1122 and 1m be- ,low the left abutment L 17. The steam after having imparted a one-half revolution to the rotor w ll exhaust in the following manner.

1 The steam which entered through ports 2727/ 2m and 2m will exhaust'through ports 19*, 19 and 19 respectively, above the left abutment L 17. Steam which entered through ports 1m and Ha will exhaust'through ports 29 and 2g, respectively below the right abut- .ment R 17 Port 1m, 1m and 1m are inacsteam which entered by way of ports 12. 2 1m and law will eventually exhaust through ports 2g, 29 29, respectively below the right abutment R 17 and the steam which entered by Way of ports 2mand 2m "will eventually exhaustthrough above the left abutment L 17.

ports and 19 respectively,

The steam which exhausted through the 1 group of ports above abutment L 17'flows by way of ports and passages hereinafter referred to, through a valve 56 opening into the exhaust pipe 37 (Fig. 13) and steam which exhausted through the 2 ports below the abutment R 17 likewise flows through a valve 57'open1ng into sa1d exhaust pipe 37.

hen the engine is set for clockwise rotation, the live steam will enter chambers by way of 19 and 29 ports and will exhaust through the 2m and 1m ports respectively,

as will now be readily understood in view of the detailed explanation already given as to the sequence of steam flow in the counter clockwise rotation of the engine. The steam exhausting from the 2m port-s will pass through valve 58 opening into the exhaust pipe 37 while the steam exhausting through the 1m ports will pass through valve 59 opening into the said exhaust pipe. hen exhaustvalves' 56' and'57 are open, valves 58 and 59 are closed, and vice-versa.

When the steam is used in multiple expansion'stages, it will enter m or g depending on which way the engine is set to rotate (see Figs. 1 and 10) Assuming the engine 1s set to rotate counter-clockwise, as viewed from Fig. 1, steam enters through 2m. After rotating the segmental member one half revolution the steam will exhaust through port 19 from whence it passes by a pipe 100 (Figs. 11 and 13) to port 2m. After expanding in chamber T the steam will leave through port 19 from whence it leaves by pipe 1:0 to port 2m After expanding in chamber T it passes through port 19 from whence it passes by'pipe 1x to port 2m. After expanding in chamber S it exhausts through port 1g from whence it passes by pipe 1x to port 2m. After expanding in chamber S it exhausts through port 19 and flows through a pipe 60 opening into the branch 60a of the exhaust pipe 37.

Afterthe first charge of steam has entered through Qm and the segment 5 has rotated through a one-half revolution, a second charge will enter through port 1m. After expansion the steam will leave by port 2g and flow by way of pipe 2w into port 1m; after expansion it willleave through port 29 from whence it passes by pipe 2m to port 1m after expansion it leaves through port 29 from whence it passes by pipe 200 to port lm after expansion it leaves through port 29 from whence it passes by pipe 2:10 to port 1m; after expansion it passes through port 2; from whence it exhausts through pipe 62 which opens into the branch 62a of the exhaust pipe 37.

When the engine is set to run clockwise, using the steam in multiple expansion stages, the steam will enter the 1g and 2g ports instead of the 2m and 1m ports and will flow into the rotor expansive chambers one after the other as will now be readily understood. The steam which entered through port 19 will finally exhaust through the 2m port and the pipe 626 which opens into the branch 62a of the exhaust pipe 37 and the steam which enters through port 2g will finally exhaust through the 1m port and pipe 6011 which opens into the branch 60a of the exhaust pipe 37.

Valve bars 51 and 52 mutually cooperate to control the flow of steam to the cylinder chambers as do bars 51' and 52. Fig. 11 shows the cooperative relationship between bars 51 and 52 and the control exercised by the bars when the engine is set to run as a. multiple expansion engine. The m and g passages in leading away from the cylinder chambers each divides into two branches at the multiple expansion controlling. bar 52 (and 52). Each bar 52 and 52' passes through two series of partitions a, a a, a and a, one series. on each side of the rotor axis. The branches leading from passage 19 pass one, on each side of partition (1*;

7 tion at, etc. The adjacent partitions form the side walls of steam chambers. The w pipes, previously referred-to, cross-connect said steam chambers withsimilar steam chambers associated with the 2m passages;

The bar 52 has two-setsof ports 52 and 52 the first set cooperating with the: 19 ports and the second set cooperating with the 2m ports (Fig. The corresponding ports in .bar 52. are identifiedby the same numeral 52 with the corresponding letter in front as 052 Land 552.

chamber and the corresponding'chamber associatedwith the 2m ports being connected by the 10; pipe. The other chambers are correspondinglyconnecteduas will now be readily understood. Referring to Fig. 11 there is shown a passage 75 at the right of partition a and in Fig. 9 a similar passage 7 5' diagonally opposite. In the position of the bars 52 and 52 as shown, the passages 75, 75" are closed o-fi'irom the two 9 ports.

)Vhen, however, the engine is set to run counter-clockwise in multiple expansion stages, these ports 75, 75 will be open to. admit steam to the g ports. In the position of the bars 52 and .52 asshowmsteam is admitted into the M ports by way of steam ports-76 and 76 (Fig.9).

Steam flows into port 76 for passage into the 2m 'ports when the piston of abutment R 17 is in the position shown in Fig. 9. Steam flows from port into a chamber into which the port 76 opens- When the piston R 25 travels outward to the end of its stroke thereby cuttingoff 45a piston L 25 completes its inward stroke therebvopening up passage 456. L ve steamthen flows into port 76 which connects with port lm It should be noted that even though steam may flow through-ports 46 and 46 the position of the bars 52 and '52 is such that'the ports and leading to the 9* ports or passages are closed. If the engine were rotating in the opposite direction the ports 75 and-'75 would be open and. ports 7 6, 7 6 closed. The steam which entered through port 2m 76 in F g. 9) will exhaust through port 19 (77 in Fig. 9). Steam whichentered through port 1m (76 in Fig. 9) will exhaust through port 29 77 in Fig. 9). )Vhen steam-enters through port 10 (75 in Fig. 9)

* it will. exhaust through port 2171 8 in Fig.

9-.)-and when it enters through port 29* (75'- in Fig. 9.) it will exhaust through port 1m (78"in Fig. 9).

WVe will next consider the relative 'dispos tion ofthe valve bars whenthe engineis to be run as a single or direct expansion en gins.w Fig. 11 shows the bar 51' as closingzall the ports controlled bythe'bar. The :position shown is the position of the bar when the engine is set for multiple expansion operation. For single expansion, the bar"51 will bemovedto position-certain of its .parts :(all but one at one or the other end of a series) in alignment with the 2mports which lead =-from the cylinder expansion chambers. By moving the bar 5l-to the right the-en gine will-run counter-clockwise.

V The live steam :for operating the engine as a direct acting engine enters a pair-of2iN steam chests' or a pair: of 1N steam chests depending on -the direction of rotation of the engine. We will assume the-steam entersthe 2N steam chests. A three way va lve shown inFig. 12 and identified by letter W, in Fig.- 13 admits steam tot-he 2N steam chests but not-to the lNsteamchest. Valve n admitssteam to the 2N'steam chest-but not to the 1N steam chest. If the engine is setto runin the reverse direction thear rangement will be vice versa. The valves n andn are connected for operation by the levers '53 through suitable linksln and levers Ea'chof these N steam chest-s h-asaports which can beconsidered *asthe-outer-terminal pansion the steam travels directly from-the pipe 35 tothe chests 2N,'2N, 'nand N; How- -ever, even on direct expansion some of the steam enters the steam chest "31 thru a branch from pipe 35. Theoreticallyone steam inlet tothechest 31 issuflicient; however, I prefer to provide an inlet to the chest 31 on each side of the rotor: shaft 4 for' the sake of smoothness and uniformity of operation; as will be understood. H

Referring to Fig. 9- and the 2N" steam chest it can be assumed that steam is being admitted to ports 2172* and'2m and 2m (see Fig. 1) f and at the same time is being ad mitted to ports 1m and '1m in steam chest 2N; In the steam chest 2N ports 2m? and 2m are covered by the slide valves therein (see-*Fig; 11) and in steam chest 2N; the ports 1m,'-1m and 1m arecovered for reasons that will be apparent from Fig. 1, namely, that it would serveno useful' purpose toallow steam to enter saidclosed ports, The lN" steam chest is open to exhaust, ports 1g and 9 being open and corresponding to the similarly identified ports in Fi 1. In steam chest 1N, ports 29*, 29 2g are open these ports being the same as the similarly identified; ports in Fig. 1.

The 2N and 1N steam chests contain fewer valves than the 1N and 2N steam chests but this is merely to show how the valves can be arranged.

The valves Within the steam chest-s in which the m and v9 ports terminate are mounted on valve rods-as 81 and Y82. The said rods are linked together by means of levers 83, the levers being pivoted on the engine frame. The rods 81 each have a piston L 84 and R 84 respectively. A valve 85 controls the passage of steam to the piston head side of the pistons. This valve is connected by suitable linkage to one 'of the levers 53 for movement therewith. The two passages controlled by the valve 85 are indicated at 86 and 87. When steam flows into port 86 it moves the piston R 84 to the right (Fig. 9) whereby the valves in the steam chest 2N will be moved to uncover certain ports as has already been explained. The valves in the other steam chests 1N,-2N and 1N will also be moved to uncover certain ports and close others as will be readily understood from the preceding description. When passage 86 is open the passage 87 is closed and vice versa. here steam is cut off from passage 86, not by the valve 85 but by the movement of the abutment piston controlling port 45a, the pressure of the steam in 2N steam chest will 'act on the plungerlike extension of the piston R- 84 and move the piston inwardly thereby positioning the valves operated by the piston in proper position for the second half revolution of the rotor. As long as the engine is rotating in one direction the valve 85 will remain in the position shown in Fig. 9.

It will be noted that the construction and arrangement of the ports controlled by the piston R 84 and'valves 2m to 2m, as illustrated in 11, are slightly modified from the showing, for instance, in Fig. 9, but this is done to more clearly elucidate the principles of my invention. it being understood :that numerous parts are illustrated only'in a diagrammatic way and that the relative size and proportions of parts has not been adhered to. i

'From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a simple form of rotary engine capable of being operated in either direction, either as a multiple expansion or as a multiple directengine. The form herein illustrated and described is expressly understood to be one embodiment only of my invention. It is therefore to be understood that I do not limit myself thereto as many other embodiments may be resorted to and numerous changes may be made in points of detail Without devailing from the true spirit and scope of my invention. It is also to be understood that my invention, so far as the embodiment herein illustrated and described is concerned, is, in many respects, only diagrammatically illustrated to best show how the same can be carried out in practice by those skilled in the art.

lVhat I claim is:

1. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, annular rotor means arranged within each cylinder, said means adapted to be moved in unison about the common axis of said cylinders by expansive fluid admitted into the cylinders, and a plurality or" one or more non-rotatable means for each rotor means extending through and common to all of the cylinders and adapted to reciprocate as the rotor turns.

2. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between thecylinders, and a plurality v of one or more non-rotatable means for each annular member straddling said members and passing through and common to all of the cylinders, said means being shiftable toward andfrom the axis of the rotor it is rotated.

3. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telcscoped relation, a rotor having annular nembers disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, one or more abutments each straddling all of the annular members and being movable toward and awayfrom the axis of the rotor and 'o'ugh the cylinder walls, and means conrollcd by the rotation of the rotor for causing reciprocation of said abutments.

it/An engine ha *ing multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in 'elesc-oped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, one or more abutments each straddling all oi the annular members and being movable toward and away from the axis of the otor and through the cylinder walls, means controlled by the rotation of the rotor for causing reciprocation of said abutments, and means permitting expansive fluid to enter the central cylinder and expand therefrom into the next larger cylinders insuccession.

5. An eng'ne having multiple stationary cylinders r1 anged about a common axis i. tclescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, abutments straddling the annular members and being movable toward and away from the axis of the rotor and through the cylinder walls, means controlled by the rotation of the rotor for;icausingreciprocation of said abutof the inner adiacent cylinder to. effect a ments, means permitting expansive fluid to enter the centralcylinder and expand therefrom into. the next larger: cylinders in succession, and means-for converting-the engine from. a multiple expansion engine to a multiple directv acting engine; v

6.- A rotaryengine havinga plurality of expansive-ifluidsreceivi-ng chambers, rotor members in eac-hof: said chambers, a pair of abutments each'passing through all: of said chambers and movable relatively towsaid chambers in a givenisequence with the rotation of the'rotor, .andmeans adapting the engine to run as a multiple expansion machine or: as a multiple direct-acting machine.

7. In a rotary engine, a plurality of cylinders telescopicallyarranged about a common axis and in spaced relation to each other to form annular chambers between the respective cylinders, a rotorshaftextending through-the .centrah cylinder, a plurality of ring-like rotor elements disposed-one in each annular chamber and affixed to said shaft, eachvof' said elements consistingof two sem1- circular sections of different radii whereby two cam-like off-sets are formedat the jointure :of said=sections', the smaller section having an inner redius substantially'the same as that of the inner adjacent cylinder to effect a steam tight joint therewith and the-outer radius of-the larger section being substantially the same as that of the outer adjacent cylinder to effect a steam tight-joint therewith,'a plate reciprocable-ina plane parallel with andpassingthroughthe axis of the rotor shaft and extending through the cylinder walls on one side of their. common axis, said platez having slots'through which-said elements move as they turn,-a second plate operating in the same manner as the first-mentioned plateibutidisposed on the'other side of saidaxis, two parallel seriesof ports associated with each plate and-opening into the cylinders, two series ofports being disposed one series on oneside of the plate and the other series on the opposite side of the plate, means for reciprocating the plates in synchronism with :the rotation of said shaft, and

means for periodically admitting expansive two cam-like offsets are formed atthejointure of said sections, the-smaller section having an inner radius'substantially the sameaas that steam tight joint therewith and the outer radius of the larger section being" substantially the same as that of the outer adjacent cylinder to effect a steam tight joint therewith, a plate reciprocable in a plane parallel with and passing through-the axis of the rotor shaft and extending through the cylinder walls on one side of their common axis said plate having slots through which said elements move as they turn,".a second. plate operatingin the same manner as the first mentioned plate but disposed on the other side of said axis, two parallel series ofports associated with eachplate and opening into the cylinders, two series of ports being" disposed one series on each sideof the plate and the other series on the opposite side of the plate, means for reciprocating the plates as theoffsets of the rotorelements enter said slots, and means for admitting expansive fluid behind said offsets after they have passed through said slots whereby to effect rotation of the rotor shaft r J i 9. Ant engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders, and means for straddling each annular member of the rotor having a single'element' passing through a cylinder into engagement with surfaces of annular rotor members on opposite sides of the cylinder through wh1ch it passes,

said element being shiftable toward and from .r

. 10. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation. a rotor:l1aving annular members disposedbetween the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, abutments straddling the annular members andbeing movable toward and away from the axis of the rotor-and through the cylinder walls-means controlled by the rotation.

of-the rotor for causing reciprocation of Said abutments, andmeans for controlling the flow'of expansive fluid directly or in multiple expansion into said cylinders.-

11. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, abutments straddling the annular members and being movable toward and away from the axis of the rotor and through tlie cylin- I der walls, means controlled-by the rotation of the rotor for causing reciprocation of'said abutments, and mean permitting expansive fluid to enter directly intoall of the cylinders or to enter one cylinder and expand therefrom into the next cylinders in succession,

12. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, abutments straddling the annular members and being movable toward and away from the axis of the'rotor and through the cylinder walls, means controlled by the rotation of the rotor for causing reciprocation of said abutments, means permitting expansive fluid to enter one cylinder and expand therefrom into the next cylinders in succession, and means for converting the engine from a multiple expansion engine to a multiple direct acting engine. 7 r

13. A rotary engine having a plurality of expansive-fluid-receiving chambers, rotor members in each of said chambers, a pair of abutments each passing through all of said chambers and movable relatively to said chambers in a given sequence with the rotation of the rotor, and means adapting the engine to run in either direction as a multiple expansion machine or as a multiple direct-acting machine.

14. A rotary engine having a plurality of expansive-fluid-receiving chambers, rotor members in eachof said chambers, a pair of abutments for each rotor member passing through the chamber walls and movable transversely thereof, means controlled by the rotation of the rotor for reciprocating the abutments, and means adapting the engine to run in either direction as a multiple expansion or as a multiple direct acting machine.

15. A rotary engine comprising a plurality of expansive-fluid-receiving chambers of annular form, an annular rotor member within each chamber, each of said members formed on two diameters whereby each of said chambers are divided into two noncommunicating portions, valve means located upon the engine for simultaneously admitting expansive fluid to each of said portions of the chamber to enable the engine to run as a direct acting machine, and valve means also located upon the engine together with cross-connecting pipes for admitting expansive fluid to said portions of the chambers in succession to enable the engine to run as a multiple expansion machine.

16. In a rotary engine, a plurality of cylinders telescopically arranged about a common axis and in spaced relation of each other to form annular chambers between the respective cylinders, rotor shaft extending through the central cylinder, a plurality of ringlike rotor elements disposed one in each annular chamber and aflixed concentrically tosaid shaft, each of said elements consisting of two approximately semi-circular sections of diiferent radii whereby two cam-like oilsets are formed at the jointure of said sections, the smaller section having an inner radius substantially the same as that of the inner adjacent cylinder to effect a tight moving contact therewith and the outer radius of the larger section being substantially the same as that of the outer adjacent cylinder to eiiect a tight-moving contact therewith, a plate reciprocable in a plane passing through the axis of the rotor shaft and extending through the cylinder walls on one side of their common axis, said plate having slots through which said rotor element-s move as they turn, a second plate operating in the same manner as the first mentioned plate but disposed on the other side of said axis, two parallel series of ports associated with each plate and opening into the cylinders one series on either side of each plate, means for reciprocating the plates as the oflsets of the rotor elements enter said slots, and means for admitting expansive fluid behind said oflsets after they have passed through said slots whereby to effect rotation of the rotor shaft. 7

17. A rotary engine as characterized in claim 16 having head plates or cylinder-heads at each end of cylinders containing grooves or guides coinciding with the plane of said reciprocating plates, within which the ends of'said plates slide or reciprocate in their passage through the said cylinder walls, said grooves or guides holding the reciprocating plates firmly in moving contact with said cylinder-heads thereby giving support and strength to said plates in all positions;

18. A rotary engine as characterized in claim 16 with a plate-or plates reciprocable in a plane parallel with and passing through the axis of the rotor shaft and extending through the cylinder walls on one side of their common axis, said plate or plates moving in intermittent synchronism through the walls or" the cylinders in tight moving contact with the oilsets of the said annular rotors thus forming the said subdivisions alternately in one chamber and then in the adjacent chamber asecond plate or plates operating in the same manner as the first mentioned plate but disposed on the other side of the axis; two parallel series of ports associated with each plate and opening into the cylinders one series on either side of each plate, means for reciprocating the plates as the oilscts of the rotor elements pass by them to :torm new sub-divisions and means for admitting expansive-fluid behind said ofisets after they have formed said sub-divisions or expansive chambers whereby to effect the rotation of the rotor shaft.

19. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged'about a common axis in telescoped relation, annular rotor means arranged within each cylinder,said annular Lit] rotor means adapted to be moved in timed relationship about the common axis of said cylinders by expansive fluid admitted into the cylinders, and means mounted in and extending through a cylinder in a radial plane and being adapted to engage surfaces of said annular rotor means on opposite sides of the cylinder through which it passes and to be positively reciprocated in opposite directions thereby as the rotor turns.

20. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders, and means for straddling each annular member including an abutment mounted in and passing through a cylinder into engagement with surfaces of annular rotor members on opposite sides of the cylinder through which it passes, said abutment being positively shiftable by the rotor toward and from the axis of said rotor as it is rotated.

21. An engine having multiple stationary cylinders arranged about a common axis in telescoped relation, a rotor having annular members disposed between the cylinders and adapted to be acted on by expansive fluid, an abutment mounted in and passing through a cylinder and into engagement with surfaces of annular rotor members on opposite sides of the cylinder'through which itpasses, said element being movable toward and away from the axis of the rotor and through said cylinder wall, means controlled by the rotation of the rotor for causing reciprocation of said abutments, and means permitting expansive fluid to enter the central cylinder and expand therefrom into the next larger cylin-j ders in succession.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

, JOHN TACKMAN. 

